Mamadou Sakho says the Crystal Palace fans gave the players courage to keep going as they beat Stoke City yesterday (Saturday).

The French defender netted in the second minute of injury time as Palace won 2-1 at Selhurst Park, with Sakho's first goal for the Eagles proving the difference between the two sides.

And the 27-year-old said he was delighted to help his side to three vital points as they continue to battle at the bottom.

"I am happy and indeed for the squad, the most important thing is winning this game because we needed to and that showed the way all the squad and the fans kept fighting until the end," he told Palace's club website.

"They are really important to us because when you play a tough game like this they are always there shouting us on and behind us.

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"It gave us a lot of courage so that we never leave the fight and I really hope that together we will win a lot of games this season."

Sakho ran to the bench to celebrate his goal with his team-mates, and he said it was important to him to share the delight with the rest of the squad.

"Wilf [Zaha] did really well on the edge of the box and then Yohan Cabaye also as he had a really good shot at goal, but in the end I had the chance so thank God and we can enjoy these three points," he said.